Cabinet for toothbrushes



March 2o, 1934.

C. F. TOMSON El" AL CABINET FOR TOOTHBRUSHES Filed Feb. l, 1932 ATI'ORNEY Patented Mar. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE CABINET FOR TOOTHBRUSHES Application February 1, 1932, Serial No. 590,053

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for holding and protecting tooth brushes. It is now the common practice to keep tooth brushes in the bathroom either on a shelf or disposed in an open Jrack or other open container. It is desirable to have the tooth brushes protected from dust and dirt, and it is important at the same time that they be disposed in a container in which they can readily dry out. It; is also desirable to have f1 the brushes in an antiseptic or disinfecting atmosphere.

It is an object of this invention, 'thereforato provide a tooth brush protecting device comprising a cabinet having an open front closed by a j; door tending to swing to closed position, said cabinet having a bottom portion containing a dis infecting means together with means therein for holding a plurality of tooth brushes with the bristle portions closely adjacent said disinfect- `2Q; ing means, means also being provided for permitting a circulation of air through the said cabinet.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a tooth brush protecting device having in combination a cabinet having a bottom portion of rectangular form in horizontal and vertical cross section and having a vertical rear wall and side walls extending upwardly from the ends or" said portion forming an offset with said end Walls, whereby said cabinet has an open front, a door hinged on a horizontal axis at the top of the cabinet and having front and side portions adapted to tightly close said cabinet when shut, with the front portion of the door alining with the -front of said bottom portion when the door is closed, said bottom portion having one or more openings therethrough and said side Walls having one or more openings therethrough adjacent their upper ends, said bottom portion having a disinvg fecting means in its bottom and means on said rear wall for holding a plurality of brushes with the bristle'portions thereof depending into said bottom portion closely adjacent said disinfecting means.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a tooth brush protecting device comprising a cabinet having an open front portion, a door for tightly closing said cabinet, a disinfecting means in the bottom of said cabinet, means forv (Cl. 20G- 151) description made in connection with the accom panying drawing, in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of the device, certain parts being broken away and others shown in vertical section;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the device, showing the door partly open;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a partial plan View of a box and cover used with the device.

Referring to the drawing, a device is shown comprising a cabinet 5 which has a trough-like portion 5a at its bottom, of rectangular shape in horizontal and vertical cross section, and having a bottom, front and rear side walls and end walls. The rear side of portion 5a extends upwardly to form the rear wall 5b of the cabinet and the end walls of the portion 5a extend vertically to form the sides or ends 5c of the cabinet 5. The portions 5c taper somewhat toward their upper ends and are of less width at their lower ends than the width of portion 5a, thus forming a horizontal ledge or offset 5d. The upper ends of portions 5c are connected by the top wall 5e, Therear wall 5b has a plurality of small holes 5h therethrough adapted to receive screws for attaching the cabinet to a wall. A door 6 is provided, having a flat front portion and side portions Sa tapering toward their upper ends, and when the door 6 is closed, the side portions 6a overlap the sides 5c and extend somewhat below the edge 5d, the at front portion of the door substantially alining with the front of portion 5a. The front portion of the door has a projecting and slightly outturned lip 6b at its bottom adapted to be engaged for opening said door. A hinge 7 is secured to the inner side of the door 6 and the inner side of the top 5e, having a pintle, the axis of which is substantially in line with the front edge of the top portion 5e. Door 6 'thus swings outwardly and upwardly and tends to move to closed position by gravity. The' front Wall of portion 5a has one or more openings 5f therethrough and the side portions 5c have openings 5g adjacent their upper ends. Openings 5f and 5g are preferably covered with fine wire screen 8. The portion 5a has disposed in the bottom thereof a rectangular box or pan 9, the end walls of which have projections 9a extending upwardly and inwardly therefrom. A plate 10 having a multiplicity of holes 10a therethrough forms a cover for the box or pan 9, and slides in tov between the end portions 9a. Pan 9 is adapted to contain some absorbent material 1l which will be saturated with formaldehyde solution or some other antiseptic or disinfecting solution. A plate 12 extends across the cabinet horizontally between the side walls 5c having a vertical ange 12a secured to the inside of the rear wall 5b in any suitable manner as by soldering or welding. Said plate has formed therein a plurality of semicircular openings 12b and slots with outwardly diverging sides 12o extend from said openings forwardly to the front edge of said plate.

In operation the plate 12 is adapted to receive the handles 14a oi the tooth brushes i4. The handles 14a are usually of less thickness than width and can be inserted through the slots leading to the openings 12b at their small portions, or they can be turned edgewise and passed through said slots. In the latter case the handles will then be turned with their wide dimension extending longitudinally of the plate l2. The handles will then be retained in the plate l2 and in the openings 12b therein and the bristle portions 14c ol the brush will be disposed in. the lower portion of the cabinet and closely adjacent the plate l0, in some instances resting on said plate. The brushes preferably will be turned with the bristles directed forwardly. as stated, a disinfecting solution will be placed in the pan 9 the fumes or vapors from this can pass upward through the holes 1001l into the cabinet. Pan 9 is readily removable and can be lii'tc-d by the portions 9a. The disiniecting solution can be placed therein while the pan is removed. The circulation through the cabinet will be permitted by the holes 5f and 5g and the air will pass into the holes 5f upwardly in the cabinet and out through the holes 5g. The fumes from the disinfecting solution will thus be effectively carried to and through the bristles 14o of the brushes 14. The brushes will be dried Toy the circulation and will at the saine time be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. By disposing the bristles downwardly, water will not drain down on the handles. The screen 8 will prevent the entrance of ies and other insects into the cabinet. The brushes are thus kept in desirable condition in a tightly closed cabinet and are completely protected against dust and dirt. The cabinet will he made of polished metal or the same can be coated with nicely appearing colors made to match the nish of the bath room.

From the above description it is seen that applicant has provided a simple and eiiicient tooth brush holding and protecting device in which the brushes ke t in a clean and sanitary condition. The device is easily made and can be readily installed in the desired position. it not only has a high degree of utility, but has an ornamental appearance, adding to the appearance ol' the bath room or other piace in which it is disposed. The device has been amply demonstrated in actual practice and round to be very successful and encient.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed and deiined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:- 1

l. A tooth brush protecting device having in combination, a cabinet having a lower portion of rectangular shape in horizontal and vertical cross section, a rear wall rising vertically from the rear of said portion, side Walls of less width than the ends of said portion extending vertically and tapering upwardly, the same forming an offset with the end walls of said portion, a door hinged on an axis adjacent the top of said cabinet having upwardly tapering sides and tending to swing to closed position, the front of said door alining with the front side of said portion when closed, a disintecting means in the bottom of said portion, and means above said portion for holding a plurality of tooth brushes with the bristle portions disposed downwardly and closely adjacent said disinfecting means.

2. A tooth brush protecting device having in combination, a cabinet having a lower troughlike portion and tapering upwardly in depth to its top, said cabinet being open at its front above sad trough-like portion, a door hinged at its top adapted 'to close said front, a removable pan in the bottom of said trough-like portion, a reticulate cover for said removable pan, means adjacent the niidportion or" said cabinet for holding a plurality of brushes in said cabinet with their bristle portions disposed downwardly and closely adjacent said cover, said cabinet having openings adjfcent said pan and also adjacent its top 'he circulation of air upward in said cabinet.

3. A toothbrush protecting device having in combination, a cabinet having a lower portion of rectangular shape in horizontal and vertical cross seetion, said portion forming a trough, a wail rising vertically from the rear of said portion, side walls or" less width than the ends of said portion extending vertically and tapering upwardly, the same forming a horizontal offset with the end walls of said portion, a door hinged on axis extending horizontally adjacent the front of said cabinet having upwardly tapering sides and tending to swing to closed position, the front or" said door alining with the front side of said portion when closed, a pan of rectangular form tting in said trough, a disinfecting substance disposed in said pan, said pan being disposed well below said oset, a perforated cover for said pan, holding means for a plurality of toothbrushes disposed substantially midway vertically of said rear wall for holding toothbrushes with the bristle portions disposed downwardly and closely adjacent said perforated cover, said cabinet having vent openings adjacent said perforated cover and also adjacent the top thereof causing a circulation of air vertically through said cabinet and through said bristle portions.

4. A tooth brush protecting device having in combination, a cabinet having a lower troughlike portion, said cabinet having an open front above said trough-like portion, a door hinged to 

